Judge delays sentencing

Washington County Circuit Judge Kennedy Boone on Wednesday delayed imposing a sentence on an 18-year-old woman who said she unwittingly helped a prisoner escape last October.

Teal Allegra Messersmith, of 11318 Youngstoun Drive, Apt. 1503, entered an Alford plea to a charge of aiding/assisting an escape.

Under an Alford plea, a defendant acknowledges the state has enough evidence to get a conviction, but does not admit guilt.

A charge of harboring a fugitive was dismissed in exchange for the plea.

Although Messersmith had no prior criminal offenses, Boone said he wanted to look into an incident when she was 15 that brought her in contact with the Department of Social Services.

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Washington County Assistant State's Attorney Arthur Rozes said Maryland State Police were called to the landfill on Kaetzel Road around noon on Oct. 3 to investigate an escape from a prison work detail.